He's still in Moto3, but his name is already circulating in every paddock. Just a few months after joining the world championship, Maximo Quiles is impressing with his speed, maturity, and dominance. So much so that Davide Tardozzi, the director of Ducati Lenovo Team, no longer hesitates to predict an exceptional future for him. It must also be said that his supporter is none other than Marc Marquez…
According to the Italian manager, the young Spaniard will not be content with simply winning the Moto3 title: he is destined to become one of the major figures in MotoGP in the coming years. Riding for the CFMOTO Gaviota Aspar Team, Maximo Quiles is creating a 2026 campaign reminiscent of the category's greatest beginnings.
At the halfway point of the season, the Spanish driver has already crossed the threshold of 200 points and has a lead of over a hundred points on its closest rivals. Such a margin is rare in Moto3, a category renowned for its bunch finishes and extremely close races.
With already six victories acquired on circuits as different as Brazil, Catalonia or Assen, Quiles He doesn't just shine because of his speed. He also impresses with his race management and composure in the final laps. All these qualities naturally attract the attention of MotoGP's decision-makers.
Tardozzi makes no secret of his admiration of the Marc Marquez's growing role
Podcast Guest Misterhelmet, Davide Tardozzi He was asked about the young talents who could shape the future of the sport. His answer was unambiguous. Quiles will likely win the Moto3 World Championship this year. He will also win in Moto2 and will certainly make it to MotoGP. He will be one of the major players in the championship from 2029 onwards. »
A particularly ambitious projection coming from the boss of the team that currently dominates the premier class. For Tardozzi, another factor explains this rise. Maximo Quiles belongs to Vertical, the management structure created around Marc Marquez and his brother Alex.
Even if the pilot Ducati While he doesn't personally manage the day-to-day lives of all the young pilots, his influence is very real. If I were a driver, I would want Marc Marquez by my side. » Tardozzi believes that the eight-time world champion possesses unique experience at the very highest level and that he could, in time, become an excellent advisor, or even a leading manager in the paddock.
According to Tardozzi, the structure Vertical is already working to prepare the next generation. Maximo Quiles appears as the jewel of the project. The leader of Ducati However, it specifies that the day-to-day management of the pilot program is handled by company employees and not directly by Marc MarquezThe important thing is elsewhere: Quiles already benefits from a particularly structured professional environment to support its progression.
While nothing is ever guaranteed in promotion categories, the trajectory imagined by Tardozzi It's crystal clear. First, a Moto3 world title. Then, progression to Moto2. Finally, a MotoGP debut around 2029, with the potential to quickly become a contender for the top spots. An ambitious roadmap, but consistent with what the young Spaniard is currently showing on the track.
The enthusiasm surrounding Maximo Quiles is fully justified given his current performances. However, it's worth remembering that there's still a long way to go between dominating in Moto3 and succeeding in MotoGP. Recent history is full of champions from the smaller categories who never lived up to expectations at the highest level, while others, more discreet in their early years, later exploded onto the scene in MotoGP.
The upcoming Moto2 seasons will therefore be crucial in determining the true potential of the Spanish rider. But one thing is certain: when Davide Tardozzi Taking the time to publicly highlight a rider still competing in Moto3 is never insignificant.
The boss of Ducati knows that talent is constantly being renewed in Grand Prix racing, and he already identifies Maximo Quiles as one of the names that could shape MotoGP in the next decade.
It now remains for the young Spaniard to live up to these immense expectations on the track. Because the predictions of Tardozzi testify to the confidence that observers place in him… but it is indeed the stopwatch that, as always, will write the rest of his story.
